Support structure of frame work construction

ABSTRACT

A support structure of scaffold like frame work construction is assembled from similar, vertical frames disposed between vertically aligned, polygonal, horizontal frames. Each vertical frame has contour of an isosceles triangle established by three tubes, one serving as base and corner post, being vertically aligned with respective two vertically aligned corners of the horizontal frames. The apex of the triangle is provided with a holder receiving and locked to a collar in the middle of the corner pot of another frame. A horizontal brace extends between apex and collar of each vertical frame; spindles extend from the corners of the uppermost and from the lowermost horizontal frames for limited range height adjustment.

United States Patent Witschel et a1. 5] Apr. 18, 1972 [54] SUPPORT STRUTURE OF FRAME 3,395,501 8/1968 Davidson, Jr. ..1s2/17s WORK CONSTRUCTION 3,490,189 1/1970 Gostling ..l82/178 [72] Inventors: Klaus Wltschel, Grobenzell; Dieter Schone, FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Ml'llghlhqih QfgfirinaHX-e 800,787 12/1950 Germany [73] Assignee: Mannesmann Leichtbau, GmbH, Munich, 1,294,033 4/ 1962- France g an V W M 1,398,006 3/1965 France ..182/ 178 [22] filed: 1970 Primary Examiner-Reinaldo P. Machado [21] Appl' No; 87,895 Attorney-Smyth, Roston & Pavitt and Ralf H. Siegemund I [57] ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Applmmon Priomy nah A support structure of scaffold like frame work construction is Nov. 12, 1969 Germany ..'..P 19 57 913.6 assembled from similar, vertical frames disposed between vertically aligned, polygonal, horizontal frames. Each vertical [52] 0.5. CI ..52/638, 182/178 frame has contour of an isosceles triangle established by three [51] Int. Cl ..E0 1/06 tubes, one serving as base and corner p be ng vertically 53 Field f Search," 32 173 79; 52 37 33 aligned with respective two vertically aligned corners of the horizontal frames. The apex of the triangle is provided with a [56] References Cited holder receiving and locked to a collar in the middle of the comer pot of another frame. A horizontal brace extends UNITED STATES PATENTS between apex and collar of each vertical frame; spindles extend from the corners of the uppermost and from the lower- 2,988,180 6/1961 Campbell ..52/637 most horizontal frames for imited range heigm adjustment 3,011,586 l2/1961 Harvey ....52/637 3,388,511 6/1968 Davidson, Jr ..182/ 178 13 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures F r I v 1 l L. r i \\I L ,1 1A s i fwd.

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SUPPORT STRUCTURE OF FRAME WORK CONSTRUCTION The present invention relates to a support structure of scaffold like, framework construction, and more particularly, the invention relates to such a construction that can be composed of modular, frame work units. The support construction is to include at least two vertically arranged rigid, horizontal frames, each provided as a planar, equilateral polygon and having short, tubular sleeves in each of its comers. A plurality of similar, vertical frame elements is to be provided, each constructed as planar triangular elemental frame having a post that is releasably secured to sleeves of the horizontal frames.

(As these posts are in vertical alignment with vertically aligned comers of the horizontal frames, they will be called comer posts.

The German Pat. No. 800,787 discloses a scaffold constructed from tubular elements and having plural, similar, vertically arranged, rigid horizontal frames. Each frame establishes an equilateral triangle, there being short sleeves nects two comers of two horizontal frames, are releasably secured to the sleeves in those corners. Each vertical, triangular frame includes such a corner post having full length, and a comerpost having half length only. One of the two, similar, vertical frames, has reverse orientation relative to the other one, and they are interconnected, so that the respective two half size corner posts supplement each other to a full length post.

Each thus defined sections of the scaffold has three sides, two of which being provided with braces to establish lattice type structure; the third side does not have such lattice constructioh to render the interior of the scaffold accessibly. However, there are two corner posts in each section that are not completely braced so that the three comer stem arrangements in the scaffold are not statically balanced. Y

The German printed application DAS 1,295,798 discloses a scaffold tower having vertical, planar, releasably interconnected frame elements. Each frame element has configuration of a right-angled triangle, one short side thereof constituting the vertical comer post of the frame, the other short side is a horizontal crossbar of the frame. A vertically oriented pin is disposed on the lower end of the corner post while an upwardly directed, receiving sleeve or socket is disposed on the upper end thereof. A ring is provided at the third corner of the triangle All of triangular frame elements are similar to each other, and tower-like scaffolds can be assembled therewith, having polygonal ground plan (triangular, square shape etc.) Upon calculating the relative mechanical data for the comer posts it has to be considered that their breakage length is identical with (Le. given by) the height of the particular section. For assembling a scaffold tower of particular height, a large number of such frame elements is required, because a comer post cannot be made in just any length for a particular cross section. Furthermore, the pin and socket connections between the frame elements cannot be locked for the joints to take up vertical stress. Thus, it is not advisable to erect high and slim scaffolds from such elements, as vertical stress resulting from lateral forces (wind etc.) cannot be reacted into corner post joints.

The French Pat. No. 1,294,033 discloses a planar, triangular lattice element by means of which prism like lattice girders and other prismatic constructions can be assembled. Utilization of these elements for a scaffold like support construction is not disclosed in this patent. Independently from any particular use, however, it can readily be said that the French patent discloses a frame element, composed of a tube with two similar, diagonally running tubular elements welded to the tube close to the ends and at the square side thereof. Means are provided in the apex of the thus resulting isosceles triangle, for securing of this frame element to others of different types. Frame work constructions disclosed in the French patent require many different elements and the assembly procedure is correspondingly extensive.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a support construction of the scaffold like, frame work type and composed of units as outlined in the introduction. The construction is particularly simple and is to include just a few, standardized components and parts. Also, the construction is to be erected quickly, in a fast assembling operation, without requiring threaded bolts for purposes of establishing connection (though, the invention does not preclude utilization of such bolts if desired). Moreover, the parts should stand rough treatment, and the assembly should not have the deficiencies of the known constructions, as outlined above. The construction should permit ready adaptation; for and assembly of all frequently occuring scaffold like assemblies, and, finally, the support construction should be safe in use.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is suggested to provide at least two similar, equilaterally polygonal frames for disposition in the horizontal, one above the other, and with vertically aligned comers. if n is the number of sides of the polygon, and if m is the number of vertical frame sections, needed in any particular instance, m X n vertical frames are provided, each comprised of a tubular corner post for vertical connection to and/or vertical alignment with respective two vertically alligned corners of the two horizontal frames. Two similarly long, tubular braces are respectively welded with one end each close to but not at) the two ends of the corner post. The two tubular braces together with the comer post establish an isosceles triangle with the vertical post as base. The apex of that triangle is connected to the center of the corner post of an adjacent vertical frame pertaining to the same section, i.e., being disposed in the same horizontal level.

In accordance with additional features of the invention, the comer post is provided with a collar defining a short central section of the post having larger diameter and established, for example, by means of a slipped-on sleeve. A girder or brace is horizontally disposed and welded with one end to that collar and with its other end to the joint of the two diagonal braces. The latter, three part joint, is provided with a holder which receives the collar in the center of the corner post of the adjacent frame; the three braces are welded to that holder and establish three prong-fork-like construction.

The aforementioned holder is particularly established by a sleeve, having a slot along its entire axial dimensions. The width of the slot is larger than the diameter of the corner post, to permit lateral slip-on; but the slot is sufficiently narrow to inhibit lateral slip-on or slip-off from the larger collar on the corner post; nevertheless, the sleeve fits onto that collar, and has a stop that rests on the upper shoulder of the collar.

The holder has a wedge lock the wedge of which projects horizontally and laterally into the interior of the holder sleeve. Each collar has a groove respectively receiving the projecting side of the wedge. Alternatively, the wedge may bear against the lower shoulder of the corner post collar received by the particular holder.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the sleeves as provided in the corners of the horizontal frames each have two wedge locks. Such a sleeve receives the lower end of an upper corner post and the upper end of a lower corner post as vertically aligned therewith. Ring grooves are provided on the comer posts, close to these ends, and respectively engaged by the wedge members of the two locks. The corner sleeves of the uppermost horizontal frame and the corner sleeves of the lowermost frames, have respective corner posts inserted from below and from above, and these sleeves, or the particular posts, receive threaded bolts or spindles from the respective other sides, and nuts are threaded onto these spindles, bearing against the sleeves, to obtain adjustment of the degree of projection of the spindles. These spindles receive threadedly top or bottom support plates, as the case may be, the bottom plates bearing, for example, against the ground, the top plates bearing against any structure in relation to which the structure has been erected.

Each spindle is preferably braced, e.g., by means of two braces or struts, each linked with one end to a nut additionally threaded on the respective spindle, while the other end of such a brace is clamped to a frame tube pertaining to the uppermost horizontal frame. This way, the threaded bolts or spindles are permitted to project vertically for almost over their entire lengths, for height adjustment of the frame construction as a whole, and over a considerable range.

The support construction is particularly stable if there is an upper and a lower horizontal frame associated with each section (two vertically adjacent sections, sharing a frame). However, where but small loads are expected, only one horizontal frame on top and one on the bottom of the entire construction is needed. In this case, vertically aligned and stacked comer posts are interconnected by couplings, similar to the wedgelocks of the sleeves on the corners of the horizontal frames.

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention, it is believed that the invention, the objects and features of the invention and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view, partially schematic, of a support structure of scaffold like frame work construction in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, using square shaped ground plan and three vertically stacked sections;

FIG. 2 is a similar type view, the construction assembled for a triangular ground plan;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the basic vertical frame, a plurality of which is to be particularly assembled for constructions of the type shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and others;

FIG. 4 illustrates on an enlarged scale a joint between two vertical frames disposed in the same level, i.e., being part of the same section or unit;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal elevation of a corner of a construction for square shaped ground plan, showing particularly one corner sleeve and wedge lock of a horizontal frame;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the corner shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a fork-like construction with holder and wedge lock and defining the apex of the triangle of a vertical frame (FIG. 3);

FIG. 8 is a top elevation of the holder shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged side view of the central section of enlarged diameter of a corner post of the frame as shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the lower end of a corner post.

Proceeding to the detailed description of the drawings, the scaffold like support structure shown in FIG. 1, has horizontal elevation or ground plan, the dimensions of which are determined by square-shaped horizontal frames 1. The square is particularly defined by respective four tubes 3. The frame has four comers in each of which there is a tubular sleeve 2 welded to one end of respective two tubes 3, that define the particular corner, so that there is a rigid, horizontal frame for each four tubes 3.

The frame work as shown in FIG. 1 is comprised of three vertically stacked support sections, I, II, III, each section having a horizontal frame on top and bottom, whereby two adjacent sections share a horizontal frame. The horizontal frames in the interior of the construction can be omitted in case only small loads are expected.

These horizontal frames are vertically aligned, and there are corner posts 8 or uprights disposed along the vertically aligned comers. Upper and lower ends of a corner post 8 are respectively inserted in two corner sleeves 2 of respective two horizontal frames. Each corner post 8 pertains to a vertical frame 7 (see FIG. 3). Such a vertical frame defines a planar trussing or framing construction element of which the entire support structure is composed (in combination with the horizontal frames). Frame 7 has configuration of an isosceles triangle, whereby the comer posts 8 constitute the base of the triangle. Two tubular diagonal braces 9 are the sides of that triangle. One end each of the two braces is welded to the respective, base defining post 8, close to but spaced-apart from the ends thereof.

Each corner post 8 has a centrally located collar 10 of larger diameter and produced by actually slipping a tubular sleeve onto the post 8, and shifting the sleeve to the center of the post prior to welding of braces 9; finally, the sleeve is welded to the post to establish collar 10 thereon (see also FIG. 4). As particularly shown in FIG. 9, each collar 10 is provided with a ring-shaped groove 11, centrally circumscribing the axis of the collar.

A sleeve 13 is welded to the respective two converging braces 9 of a frame in and establishing the apex of the respective triangle of a vertical frame. In addition to the two braces 9, a tubular, horizontal brace 16 is provided in the particular embodiment, one for each vertical frame triangle 7, and also terminating in the apex. This way, a three-prong-fork is established on the sleeve 13. The other end of brace 16 is welded to the collar 10 of the particular corner post being the base of that triangle.

Sleeve 13 is to serve as a holder, and, as can be seen particularly in FIG. 8, the sleeve has an axial slot 131, running all the way through the sleeve at one side thereof. The width of slot 131 is larger than the diameter of a comer post 8, but smaller than the outer diameter of the collar 10 on the post. Thus, upon assembly, a sleeve 13 can be laterally placed and slid onto the comer post of the adjacent vertical frame, preferably above the respective collar 10 thereof. After the holder sleeve 13 has been shifted laterally to assume concentric position relative to the comer post, the latter as well as the holder sleeve are shifted vertically relative to each other until the sleeve 13 embraces the respective collar 10 (see FIG. 4). As each collar has outer diameter larger than the width of slot 131 of any of the sleeves, such a sleeve when embracing a collar, can no longer be displaced laterally. Moreover, the horizontal brace 16 that is welded to the collar 10 of the respective frame, projects laterally through the gap 131 of the holder sleeve 13 thereon.

As can be seen specifically from FIGS. 7 and 8, the upper portion of each sleeve 13 has an inwardly directed projection 14. This projection bears against, and is seated on, the upper shoulder of the collar 10 embraced by the sleeve.

A wedge lock having a wedge member 15 is provided for additionally position arresting sleeve 13. In locking position, wedge 15 projects laterally into the interior of the sleeve and established therein a horizontally oriented projection, which can also be considered to be a removable stop or lock. Upon locking, wedge 15 is inserted and is received by the ring groove 11 of collar 10, enveloped by the particular sleeve. Each wedge 15 has an oblong slot, and a key or peg is inserted in the outer part of the wedge lock to lock the wedge positive- In the alternative, the wedge lock could be provided in the lower part of sleeve 13 so as to bear against the lower shoulder of an inserted collar 10.

As can be seen particularly in FIG. 10, a ring groove 12 is provided on each end of a corner post 8, two such grooves per post accordingly. The tubular sleeves 2 in the comers of the horizontal frame structure are respectively provided with two wedge locks each, 5 and 6, disposed one on top of the other. Upper wedge lock 5 locks a comer post when inserted in the sleeve 2 from above, while the lower wedge lock 6 locks a comer post when inserted in the same sleeve 2 from below. These two posts are vertically aligned in the respective corner and pertain to different sections. Each sleeve 2 has in its interior a centrally (axially) located projection or stop ring 4 and the two inserted corner posts bear against this ring from opposite sides.

The inner diameter of the stop ring 4 equals the inner diameter of the tubular comer posts. Hence, a threaded spindle 17 can be inserted in the corner post to serve as top or as foot spindle, even if one respective corner stern has been inserted already in a comer sleeve 2, from below or from above, and locked thereto. Such a corner sleeve pertains to the uppermost or the lowermost horizontal frame. The threaded bolts or spindles 17 are provided only on the uppermost and under the lowermost horizontal frame accordingly.

Each threaded spindle 17 bears a top plate 19, or a base or foot plate 20, as the case requires. it was found to be of particular advantage that the respective spindle can turn relative to the top or bottom plate it carries. The threaded spindles are adjusted as to their respective height by means of nuts 18, respectively bearing otherwise against the sleeve 2 of the particular horizontal frame, from which the respective spindle projects.

It is desirable to take full advantage of the entire length of a spindle as to height adjustment. Therefor, the spindles are laterally braced by means of, for example, tubular rods 21. One end of such a brace is linked to a nut 22, which can be turned on the spindle for up or down displacement thereon, as desired. The other end of brace 21 is linked to a clamping coupling 23, clamped to one of the tubes 3 which defines the horizontal frame on the top of the construction.

The embodiment of FIG. 2 employs similar elements and is constructed in accordance with the same principles but differs from FIG. 1 by having a triangular ground plan, the horizontal frames are triangles accordingly.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but all changes and modifications thereof not constituting departures from the spirit and scope of the invention are intended to be included.

We claim:

1. Support structure of scaffold like frame work construction having n-sided, polygonal ground plan (n being an integer in excess of 2), and constructed for erection in the vertical in m-sections (m being a positive integer), comprising:

at least two horizontal frames each having contour of an nsidecl, equilateral polygon, there being n-corners accordingly, the horizontal frames'disposed one above the other, and having vertically aligned comers;

a plurality of n X m vertical frames each having a tubular corner post and a pair of similar tubular braces, respectively secured close to the ends of the respective comer post and establishing therewith an isosceles triangle having an apex, the corner post being the base of the triangle;

all of the vertical frames disposed in that respective m frames have their respective corner posts vertically aligned and releasably interconnected and aligned with respective two aligned corners of the two horizontal frames;

all of the vertical frames further disposed in that respective n frames constitute one of the m sections, the vertical frames of a section interconnected in that the apex of one frame is connected to the mid point of the comer post of the respective next frame for arrangement around the polygonal ground plan contour; and

tubular sleeves in the corners of the horizontal frames respectively releasably connected to the comer posts of the frames of the uppermost section and of the lowermost section, one sleeve per corner post so connected.

2. Support structure as in claim 1, there being a holder in the apex of each frame respectively welded to the braces of the pair thereof, and engaging the corner post of the next frame of the same section.

3. Support structure as in claim 1,. each of the corner posts having a collar disposed at the mid point thereof, and engaged by the respective preceding frame along said polygonal con tour and at the apex of the latter frame.

4. Support structure as in claim 3, each of the vertical frames having a holder, for the collar of a frame being received by the holder of the respective preceding frame.

5. Support structure as in claim 4, the holder being a sleeve having an axial slot having width larger than the diameter of the comer post but smaller thanthe diameter of the collar.

6. Support structure as in claim 4, the holder having a projection bearing against an upper shoulder of the collar.

7. Support structure as in claim 4, the holder provided with a wedge lock including a wedge member for engagement with the collar.

8. Support structure as in claim 7, the wedge member bearing against a lower shoulder of the collar.

9. Support structure as in claim 7, the collar having a groove, the wedge member inserted in the groove.

10. Support structure as in claim 3, each vertical frame further including a horizontal brace secured to the tubular braces at the apex, and to the collar, so as to extend between the apex and the collar.

11. Support structure as in claim 1, the comer sleeves of the horizontal frames as respectively receiving the ends of the comer posts of the adjoining vertical. frames, having the ends inserted in the comer sleeves from one side thereof; the structure further including threaded spindles inserted in the sleeves respectively and from the respective other side thereof; nuts threaded on the spindles for adjustment of their projection from the respective comer sleeve; and support plates on the spindles.

12. Support structure as in claim 11, a plurality of braces for lateral support of the spindles and respectively bearing against the horizontal frame from which the respective spindle projects; an additional nut on each spindle being linked to the respective brace of the plurality; and a clamping coupling for each brace for linkage to the horizontal frame.

13. Support structure as in claim 1, including a horizontal frame interposed between a first and a second one of the sections and in vertical corner alignment with the corners of the said horizontal frames, the additional horizontal frame having tubular sleeves in its corners each sleeve having two wedge locks, having wedge members for releasably securing the latter frame to two aligned comer posts respectively pertaining to two vertical frames of the first :and second sections, the corner posts having grooves for insertion of the wedge members respectively. 

1. Support structure of scaffold like frame work construction having n-sided, polygonal ground plan (n being an integer in excess of 2), and constructed for erection in the vertical in msections (m being a positive integer), comprising: at least two horizontal frames each having contour of an nsided, equilateral polygon, there being n-corners accordingly, the horizontal frames disposed one above the other, and having vertically aligned corners; a plurality of n X m vertical frames each having a tubular corner post and a pair of similar tubular braces, respectively secured close to the ends of the respective corner post and establishing therewith an isosceles triangle having an apex, the corner post being the base of the triangle; all of the vertical frames disposed in that respective m frames have their respective corner posts vertically aligned and releasably interconnected and aligned with respective two aligned corners of the two horizontal frames; all of the vertical frames further disposed in that respective n frames constitute one of the m sections, the vertical frames of a section interconnected in that the apex of one frame is connected to the mid point of the corner post of the respective next frame for arrangement around the polygonal ground plan contour; and tubular sleeves in the corners of the horizontal frames respectively releasably connected to the corner posts of the frames of the uppermost section and of the lowermost section, one sleeve per corner post so connected.
 2. Support structure as in claim 1, there being a holder in the apex of each frame respectively welded to the braces of the pair thereof, and engaging the corner post of the next frame of the same section.
 3. Support structure as in claim 1, each of the corner posts having a collar disposed at the mid point thereof, and engaged by the respective preceding frame along said polygonal contour and at the apex of the latter frame.
 4. Support structure as in claim 3, each of the vertical frames having a holder, for the collar of a frame being received by the holder of the respective preceding frame.
 5. Support structure as in claim 4, the holder being a sleeve having an axial slot having width larger than the diameter of the corner post but smaller than the diameter of the collar.
 6. Support structure as in claim 4, the holder having a projection bearing against an upper shoulder of the collar.
 7. Support structure as in claim 4, the holder provided with a wedge lock including a wedge member for engagement with the collar.
 8. Support structure as in claim 7, the wedge member bearing against a lower shoulder of the collar.
 9. Support structure as in claim 7, the collar having a groove, the wedge member inserted in the groove.
 10. Support structure as in claim 3, each vertical frame further including a horizontal brace secured to the tubular braces at the apex, and to the collar, so as to extend between the apex and the collar.
 11. Support structure as in claim 1, the corner sleeves of the horizontal frames as respectively receiving the ends of the corner posts of the adjoining vertical frames, having the ends inserted in the corner sleeves from one side thereof; the structure further including threaded spindles inserted in the sleeves respectively and from the respective other side thereof; nuts threaded on the spindles for adjustment of their projection from the respective corner sleeve; and support plates on the spindles.
 12. Support structure as in claim 11, a plurality of braces for lateral support of the spindles and respectively bearing against the horizontal frame from which the respective spindle projects; an additional nut on each spindle beinG linked to the respective brace of the plurality; and a clamping coupling for each brace for linkage to the horizontal frame.
 13. Support structure as in claim 1, including a horizontal frame interposed between a first and a second one of the sections and in vertical corner alignment with the corners of the said horizontal frames, the additional horizontal frame having tubular sleeves in its corners each sleeve having two wedge locks, having wedge members for releasably securing the latter frame to two aligned corner posts respectively pertaining to two vertical frames of the first and second sections, the corner posts having grooves for insertion of the wedge members respectively. 